Antisplitting device



Feb. 17, 1942.. BEEGLE 2,273,507

ANTISPLITTING DEVICE Filed June 14, 1940 INVENT OR. 7

vs mw Patented Feb. 17, 1942 UNlTED STATES PATENT OFFICE ANTIS'PLITTING DEVICE Raymond E. Beegle, East StI'Louis, Ill. Application June 14, 1940, Serial'No. 340,491

4 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in antisplitting devices, and has particular reference to timber anchors or tie-irons adapted to prevent checking and splitting of railway cross ties and the like.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved reenforcing iron of a type capable of being readily and easily driven into a railway cross tie or other timber, the iron being so formed and constructed as to have a maximum holding power, and a split prevention function which in efficiency and general effectiveness, is superior to that obtaining in existing and prevailing types of irons.

A further object resides in the provision of an improved tie-iron for the purpose described, which when driven into the tie, is self-anchored therein, this feature of the improved iron being attained by a novel formation of one or both end portions of the iron, to provide tie-gripping elements which effectively lock the iron in its embedded position in the tie.

A further object is to provide an improved, self-locking iron of the character and for the purpose described, which may be employed with positive effect, either singly or in cooperation with one or more additional irons of similar form, for reenforcing the end section of a railway cross tie against spike-splitting, season checking or the splitting effects resulting from other irregularities in the grain and internal structure of the cross tie.

Yet another object is attained in an improved construction of anti-splitting device which, by reason of a novel arrangement of its parts, possesses the facility of increasing its anchorage-or end holding strength, in response to increase insplitting tendencies developing in the wood or timber, within reasonable and normallyencountered limits.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will appear readilyfrom the following description of preferred embodiments of the improved iron, as illustrated by the acompanying drawing, in which:

' Fig. 1 is a view in perspective, of one form of tie-iron embodying the improvements of the invention, and Fig. 2 illustrates the application of the iron shown by Fig. 1, to the end-section of a railway cross tie, there being illustrated in this figure also, a somewhat modified form of tie-iron which incorporates the principal features of the invention.

Referring to the drawing by suitable characters of reference, the improved iron is constructed iii from suitable gauge, strip metal of a desired length initially, which strip is reduced; along one longitudinal edge II and substantially over the length of the strip, to provide a relatively sharp or knife-like edge 12, whereby to facilitate edgewise entering and seating of the iron in the end of a wooden railway tie or the like.

As shown by Fig. 1, the iron as formed from a single, unitary metal strip, comprises a body portion [3 of rectilinear extent, and opposed endmembers l4 extending laterally from the opposite ends l5 of the body l3. By preference, the endmembers project from the same side of the body portion, and each is formed to provide a substantially rectangular loop or eye configuration, as shown. The loop section results in a coupling or stress-distributing portion it which serves to connect or integrally join the ends of the iron to the adjacent end of the body i3, and which may be characterized as a shoulder of the iron, which is preferably of arcuate form having a substantial curvature, of the relative extent indicated by the drawing. The loop side sections l1, l8 and I9 are substantially rectilinear, while the end corner portions 20 are by preference, uniformly rounded, as on an arc of relatively short radius. According to the disclosure of Fig. 1, the inner end portion 2| of the loop side i9 is, by preference, bent or outturned to form a terminal lug which in the present preferred embodiment, approaches engagement with the adjacent body end I5. Thus each end member l4 formed as above described, may be characterized as a substantially closed, rectangular loop or eye, projecting laterally from and inturned relative to, one end of the body l3.

, It will be observed that in the now completed tie-iron, the beveled or knife-like entering edge l2 follows the configuration of-each loop l4, so that substantially the entire original extent thereof remains effective for the purpose hereinbefore indicated.

In the application of the improved iron to the end of across tie or other timber, following inspection of the tie end to ascertain the condition thereof and the placement required by the pattern of incipient splitting, the iron is located on the tie end and driven thereinto, in the position which will most effectively prevent further splitting and checking along the lines indicated. In Fig. 2 is shown an end elevation of a usual railway cross tie 30, showing the timber heart area 3|, developed season checks 32 and in the present example, a major vertical check or break 33 extending from top to bottom of the tie. Since in the instant example, the problem of major importance presented by the tie end section shown, is the prevention of any further splitting along the vertical break 33, as well as to resist spikesplitting tendencies, an iron of the improved construction herein described, is driven into the tie end in the position shown, such that the rectilinear body portion l3 extends cross-sectionally of the tie to and across the break 33, with the loop ends M substantially equidistant from the break and each lying slightly outwardly of the planes of spike reception. In the driving of the iron, each loop [4 encloses and securely grips a section 34 of the tie-end, thereby self-anchoring or self-locking the iron in its embedded position in the end of the cross tie. This self locking feature, resulting from the form or configuration of the end-loops I4, increases to a very marked degree, the effectiveness and holding power of the iron, and further, serves to prevent endwise displacement and deformation of the iron. Also, the rectilinear or planar sides l1, l8 and IQ of the loop I4, serve effectively to prevent turning of the loop about the tie section enclosed thereby, as might otherwise occur from relative stress-displacement of sections of the cross tie end, as in a badly checked or split tie. Thus the iron will tend to hold or bind the split sections against relative displacement. Moreover, the rounded contour of the shoulders [6 of the iron on an arc of relatively long radius, provides broad wooden shoulders to withstand severe tensioning stresses induced by season shrinkage.

It will appear that when the iron is driven and in service, the effects of the predominantly horizontal splitting stresses on the iron will tend to increase the tension on the rectilinear body portion thereof. As this occurs, there is of course a tendency (although without noticeable effect) to straighten out the end loops. The relatively wide I curvature of the shoulders l6 tends, under such stresses to compress the wood inwardly of the adjacent loops, along the lines of the arrows in Fig. 2, and the greater the tension or pull on the body of the iron, the greater the resulting compression of the wood portions internally of the end loops, whereby their anchorage or holding power is augmented proportionally to increased tension or loading of the iron, within, of course, reasonable limits, up to the point of crushing of the wood.

An effect of equal, perhaps greater importance, in increasing the holding power of the iron responsively to horizontal shrinkage and splitting stresses in the tie, results from the tendency of the vertical halves of the tie to slip outwardly along the body [0 of the iron. To the extent that this occurs, the inner faces I9 of the loop portions will be deflected, even though only slightly, in a direction inwardly of the loop, resulting in an increased compression of the wood internally of the loop. The effect thus attained results in the looking or anchoring segment of wood within the loop, functioning as a dead man or anchoring portion at each end of the iron.

According to the exemplary disclosure of Fig. 2 the major break 33 as well as the season checks 32, may be more effectively checked by employing more than one iron. Therefore, where two irons are to be utilized, it is preferred to locate them such that one thereof 35, is arranged in the upper half of the cross tie end, with the opposite end loops M embedded in the upper quadrant areas of the tie end, and projected downwardly as shown. The second iron 36 then is similarly located but in the lower half of the tie end, and such that its end loops lie in the lower quadrant areas, and project upwardly toward the loops of the iron 35.

With further reference to Fig. 2, the iron 36 utilized in the lower section of the tie, may be of the same form and construction as the upper iron 35, the latter being the iron of Fig. 1. However, to present one of the many possible modified forms of iron embodying the features of this invention, the iron 36 as shown, has each of its loop portions 37 formed to provide somewhat curved or rounded sides 38, 39 and 40. The curvature of the loop shoulder 4| is retained and corresponds in degree, substantially to the curvature of the shoulder It in the iron of Fig. 1, while the outturned terminal portion or lug 42 which lies proximate to the body of the iron, is by preference, of arcuate form. It will be observed now that each opposed loop 3! of the modified iron 36, presents a somewhat elliptical configuration, in distinction to the more nearly rectangular form of loops I4 provided in the iron 35. In efiectiveness and holding power, the modified iron 36 is substantially no less eflicient than the preferred form of iron 35, and the same principles prevail in its locking features and relation to the wood.

With further reference to the closed or substantially closed, loop ends of both forms of iron, it is to be noted in particular, as an important factor contributing to the increased holding power of the iron, that the greater the splitting stress in the tie sections controlled by the iron, the greater will be the compression of the tie section enclosed by each 100p M or 31, between the opposite loop sides ll-IQ or 38-40.

Other modifications of the irons herein described in principle, may be made to care for specific purposes. Certain such constructions form the subject matter of my copending application, Serial No. 340,492 filed concurrently herewith on June 14, 1940, to which attention is directed.

It is to be noted that the present types of antisplitting devices are particularly adapted for use in the reclamation practice. In prevailing treatment, the tie is subjected to lateral compression of the order of 15,000 to 20,000 lbs. per square inch. While under such compression, the irons are driven, preferably employing an iron of at least double the usual width. In such cases, upon release of the tie from the press, no substantial deformation, either of the iron or timber, is observable.

It is to be understood that the present description relates to the preferred and modified embodiments of the improved anti-split tie iron as disclosed herein, and that alterations or modifications in the form and construction thereof, may be made without departing from the nature and intended scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A split-checking iron constructed of a metal strip, shaped to provide a body of substantial length and a substantially closed terminal loop on at least one end of the body and projected laterally thereof, said loop having a substantially non-circular configuration and including an arcuate portion of substantial curvature, joining the loop to the body, and a terminal lug on said loop, projected outwardly thereof.

2. A split-checking iron constructed of a metal strip, shaped to provide a rectilinear body and opposed, substantially closed terminal loops projecting laterally from the ends of said body, each of said loops having a substantially non-circular configuration and including an arcuate portion of substantial curvature, joining the loop to the body, and a terminal lug adjacent the free end of one of said loops.

3. A split-checking irOn constructed of a metal strip, shaped to provide a rectilinear body of substantial length and opposed, substantially closed terminal loops each having a substantially rectangular configuration, arranged on the ends of said body, said loops projecting laterally from one side of the body and each including an arcuate portion of substantial curvature, joining the loop to the body, and a terminal lug on the free end of each of said loops, engaging said body.

4. A split-checking iron constructed of a metal strip, shaped to provide a rectilinear body of substantial length and opposed, inturned terminal loops each of a closed, substantially rectangular configuration, projecting laterally from the ends of said body, each of said loops including an arcuate portion of substantial curvature, joining the loop to the body, and a terminal lug on the free end of each of said loops, projected outwardly thereof and engaging said body.

RAYMOND BEEGLE. 

